Where is Valdez Heli Ski Guides Located?

The base lodge for Valdez Heli Ski Guides is located on Thompson Pass, 35 miles from Valdez Alaska. Valdez is located east of Anchorage, a 300 mile drive by road.

From Anchorage International Airport there are flights to Valdez with ERA Aviation. To correspond with the ski weeks, Saturday afternoon flights to Valdez depart Anchorage at 5:15pm and arrive in Valdez 40 minutes later. There are also Saturday flights departing from Valdez for the return trip.

VHSG staff will meet you at Valdez Airport for the shuttle transport to the lodge.


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Valdez Heli Skiing Terrain

VHSG has massive terrain with more than 2,500 square miles of mountains and 550 ski runs. The pitch of the runs chosen depends on the snowpack stability and the group’s ability, but commonly Valdez Heli Ski Guides access some of the steepest ski terrain in North America. This is big mountain skiing! Runs are spectacularly long; about 3,500 feet on average, and some runs are as long as 5,000 feet. That many powder turns are likely to put the excitement-ometer into overdrive!

Valdez Heli Ski Guides only cater to advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, and they group riders by ability to fully maximize everyone’s experience. Those new to steep and deep can get tuition on slough management and ride the scenic glacier runs, whilst experienced backcountry skiers can tackle the steep gnarly couloirs when conditions permit.

Weather Alaska heli skiing generally has the shortcoming of frequent bad weather that results in no-fly days. However the weather patterns at Tsaina Lodge are more stable than other parts of the Chugach Mountains, so Valdez Heli Ski Guides only have about 20% down days. On these no-fly days, other activities available include ski touring, ice climbing, sea kayaking, and fishing.

Valdez Heli Ski Guides Policies

DEPOSIT

All reservations require a 50% deposit with FULL PAYMENT due on January 31. Payments can be made with credit card or bank transfer.

REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

If a cancellation is made, notification must be given in writing via email to VHSG. Deposits are refundable up to 180 days prior to the start of your ski week. Any cancellation made within 180 days prior to the scheduled ski week is non- refundable. Each Group Membership guarantees the first seven flight hours only. Unused hours less than the seven-hour guarantee are refunded at $2000 per hour or credited for following seasons. THIS REPRESENTS YOUR ENTIRE REFUND IF WEATHER DOES NOT ALLOW US TO FLY THE GUARANTEED SEVEN FLIGHT HOURS. Valdez Heli-Ski Guides has the right to cancel any Group Membership at any time. If this occurs, a full refund will be given. If Valdez Heli-Ski Guides cancels a ski week due to a lack of snow or any other weather-related issue, then you will have the following options:

• To reschedule for another date during the same ski season with no change fee applied.
• To forward all monies paid to the following year with no increase in package price.
• To forward 50% of all monies paid to the following year and receive a 50% refund. Any package price increase will apply.
• All refunds will be sent within 60 days following their trip or cancellation date.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

It is very important that you read and understand the following information. Please contact VHSG if you have any questions. During your contracted period, you will have exclusive use of one A-Star B3 helicopter. You will be guaranteed two guides during all hours of operation (Sunday through Friday, between 9am and 7pm, and Saturday, between 9am and 4pm). On occasion operational hours can be extended. For each day during your Group Membership you will be required to fly if the Individual Member helicopter is flying. If you choose not to fly on a flyable day, two hours will be deducted from the seven hours of flight time guaranteed by VHSG (this deduction is only applicable if you do not meet the seven-hour guarantee). Federal Aviation Regulations require that pilots limit the number of hours they can work each day. These regulations must be honored at all times.

PACKAGE AND RATE SURCHARGES

Due to the variable price of jet fuel, a fuel surcharge may be issued. Our fuel surcharge is based on a six-month, rounded average of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s US Gulf Coast spot pricing index (www.eia.gov/ dnav/pet/hist/eer_epjk_pf4_rgc_dpgD.htm). Any fuel surcharge that is applied will be based on $15.42 per Hobbs hour. Occasionally, VHSG’s external costs or charge, such as permit fees, taxes, or other hard costs, will mandate slight adjustments or surcharges to prices, packages, and refund policies. However, final package prices will be locked in once a client has paid the package price in full.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Due to VHSG commitments made well in advance of the ski season AND due to extreme weather variations and other types of travel emergencies, our refund and cancellation policies are FIRM. VHSG highly recommends travel insurance to help safeguard you against unforeseen circumstances that may occur before or during your trip. We recommend Gowrie Group [email protected] or Travel Guard Insurance at travelguard.com. We suggest a policy which has a “Cancel for any Reason” clause.